16.03.12
Free of fees?
Should hospitals provide free parking to patients and visitors?
Patients’ associations certainly believe so, and call for free parking across the board. Increased parking fees disadvantage those who need regular or frequent trips to hospital, and can be difficult to afford during an already stressful period.
But the money raised through parking fees goes to provide care and treatment for those same people. Surely they would rather have the best available services than to have free parking and substandard care?
Unfortunately for organisations lobbying for nationwide changes, this is an area where local bodies have control, leading to significant variation across trusts; adding to the postcode lottery already evident in health provision.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]